Electronic cigarette liquid and method of use to reduce, replace, or eliminate nicotine intake/addiction

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette liquid (an “e-liquid”) comprises a vaporizable base, a flavoring, nicotine, and a non-nicotine stimulant. The vaporizable base may be a combination of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and/or polyethylene glycol 400 and the non-nicotine stimulant may be caffeine, guarana ( Paullinia cupana ), kola nut (of the genus  Cola ), or some combination thereof. In another embodiment, an e-liquid may further comprise a nutritional component or supplement, such as astaxanthin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/911,381, filed on Dec. 3, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to smoking and cigarettes. More particularly, the present technology relates to electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes) and associated liquids (e-liquids) for use therewith.

BACKGROUND

Use of traditional tobacco products, specifically combusted tobacco cigarettes, is known to be both highly toxic and carcinogenic, and as such poses serious health risks. According to the Report on Carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program of the Department of Health and Human Services, tobacco has more than 2,500 chemical constituents wherein hundreds of these chemicals are identified as toxic and/or cancer causing. As a result, several forms of tobacco replacements, cessation, and/or tobacco-nicotine alternative devices exist on the market. These devices range from nicotine patches for the skin, chewable nicotine gum, and more recently, the e-cigarette. The majority of these devices rely on nicotine as one of the main ingredients—which is one, if not the primary, addictive substance found in tobacco. In fact, it is well known that nicotine addiction is one of the hardest addictions to break, with the American Heart Association and the Surgeon General reporting that nicotine, in terms of addiction, has behavioral characteristics similar to heroin and cocaine. While addictive, nicotine is not currently considered directly carcinogenic (although this topic is debated). However, the approximately 2,500 other chemical constituents of traditional tobacco products as previously stated, are toxic and/or carcinogenic, and therefore, the cessation of said products can lead generally to an immediate increase in overall health and life expectancy. Cessation of traditional tobacco products is also considered to be generally safer for those exposed to the second-hand smoke of both combusted tobacco cigarettes as well as generally cleaner than both tobacco cigarettes and chewing tobacco, wherein the smoke, smoke-related smell, and expelled saliva are non-existent with the cessation/replacement devices.

However, a need still remains for an effective method for not only reducing nicotine addiction, but for also improving the health and well-being of the user. Nicotine has been established as a psychoactive, addictive, and potentially harmful compound, whether introduced via combusted tobacco (e.g., smoking) or vaporized liquid (e.g., electronic cigarette). While not shown to be directly carcinogenic, nicotine may contribute indirectly to the causation of cancers and has been shown to increase the risk of birth defects when used by pregnant women. The current device and method seek to solve these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette liquid (an “e-liquid”) comprises a vaporizable base, a flavoring, nicotine, and a non-nicotine stimulant. The vaporizable base may be a combination of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and/or polyethylene glycol 400 and the non-nicotine stimulant may be caffeine, guarana (Paullinia cupana), kola nut (of the genus Cola), or some combination thereof.

In another embodiment, an e-liquid may comprise a vaporizable base, a flavoring, and a non-nicotine stimulant.

In yet another embodiment, an e-liquid may comprise a nutritional component or supplement. In one embodiment, this nutritional component is a carotenoid such as astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β-carotene-4,4′-dione).

In one embodiment, a method of reducing nicotine addiction includes reducing the amount of nicotine present in the e-liquid while increasing the levels of the non-nicotine stimulant. A nutritional component, such as astaxanthin, may also be present and may increase with the reduction of nicotine or may remain steady.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a table illustrating various stages of reducing nicotine while increasing other additives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting of its scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad ordinary and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.

Further, although the terms “electronic cigarette liquid” or “e-liquid” are used, it is not limited to such devices and is generally understood to mean a vaporizable liquid.

It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or arrangement. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.

I. Electronic Cigarette Liquids

In one embodiment, an electronic cigarette liquid (an “e-liquid”) comprises a vaporizable base, a flavoring, nicotine, and a non-nicotine stimulant. The vaporizable base may be a combination of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and/or polyethylene glycol 400 or any other ingredient or combination of ingredients known to those of skill in the art. For example, vegetable glycerin may range from about 20 volume percent to 100 volume percent of the base, while propylene glycol typically ranges from 0 volume percent to 80 volume percent of the base. It has been found that these ranges not only allow for the liquid to be vaporizable, but that a select few additional substances may be added to the liquid without having negative effects on the vaporability of the liquid. As an example, flavorings are further added to the base mixture and generally range from about 5 volume percent to 30 volume percent of the base. However, not all additives are vaporizable and will prevent the liquid from functioning properly. Nonetheless, several additives are disclosed herein that are not only beneficial to a user, but that also maintain the vaporability of the liquid. In one embodiment, nicotine concentrations range from 1 mg to 32 mg. The higher the nicotine content, the lower the levels of the non-nicotine stimulant. Such non-nicotine stimulant may be caffeine, guarana (Paullinia cupana), kola nut (of the genus Cola), or some combination thereof. Such stimulants are known to mimic and/or duplicate the known psychoactive characteristics of nicotine as a stimulant, relaxant and euphoriant, and as such, are suitable non-nicotine additions and/or nicotine replacements. For example, caffeine content may range from about 5-20 mg, to about 15-30 mg, and to about 25-120 mg. Guarana content may range from about 25-100 mg, to about 50-200 mg, to about 100-2000 mg. Kola nut content may range from about 10-100 mg, to about 50-200 mg, to about 100-2000 mg.

In another embodiment, it may be desirable to remove the nicotine content completely such that an e-liquid may comprise a vaporizable base, a flavoring, and a non-nicotine stimulant. Substantially similar ranges to those disclosed above may be used, according to a user's desire. For example, a user who currently does not have an addiction to nicotine (and may not want to develop one), yet desires to use this product may use the nicotine-free version without fear of developing a nicotine addiction.

In yet another embodiment, an e-liquid may further comprise a nutritional component or supplement. In a preferred embodiment, this nutritional component is a carotenoid such as astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β-carotene-4,4′-dione). Surprisingly, astaxanthin is a vaporizable antioxidant/carotenoid, which allows it to be added and subsequently absorbed in similar fashion to both the nicotine and non-nicotine stimulants. Similar to nicotine, caffeine, and the theobromine of guarana and kola nut, astaxanthin has a relatively small molecular structure that not only allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier, but when combined with the aforementioned stimulants, also experiences enhanced uptake and absorption when used in conjunction with these stimulants in the form of vaporizable e-liquid. Furthermore, outside of the e-liquid solution, astaxanthin has a boiling point of over 700 degrees Celsius, is highly stable, and not adversely affected when heated at the lower vaporizing temperatures, unlike other antioxidants such as vitamin C or vitamin B 12, which either break down under heat or are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier due to molecular size, respectively. A final characteristic of astaxanthin, in addition to heat stability and relative small molecular structure, is its unsurpassed antioxidant ability. It would take approximately 6000 times the vitamin C and 800 times the CoQ10 (two well-known antioxidants) to equal that of astaxanthin in quantities as low as 4-6 mg. An e-liquid with 800-6000 times the amount of any supplement additive would render the e-liquid mechanically dysfunctional in terms of short and long-term vaporability. Astaxanthin has several known benefits, with clinical studies showing beneficial qualities for cardiovascular, immune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases. It has also been shown to improve joint function and mental function. The addition of a nutritional component to an e-cigarette takes the device from a potentially dangerous and hazardous device (i.e., because it includes nicotine), to one for increasing the health of a user and encouraging the cessation of tobacco, nicotine, and related products. Again, the levels of the nutritional supplement typically fluctuate in accordance with other substances so as to maintain the vaporability of the liquid. For example, astaxanthin content typically ranges from about 2-8 mg, to about 4-12 mg, to about 8-100 mg.

Also, more than one non-nicotine stimulant and nutritional supplement may be used, without nicotine present. As an example of the foregoing, and in no way limiting, an e-liquid may comprise a vaporizable base, flavoring, 10-30 mg of caffeine, 25-100 mg of guarana, 25-100 mg kola nut, and 4-8 mg of astaxanthin. Although the majority of examples contained herein contain a flavoring, it will be appreciated that the mere removal of the flavoring in no way departs from the present technology and is specifically contemplated herein. Further, it may be desirable to have an e-liquid that is only a vaporizable base and a nutritional supplement, with or without additional flavoring. This allows a user to have a higher rate of uptake of a nutritional supplement due of the method of uptake (inhalation), such as astaxanthin, without additional stimulants.

II. Methods for Using Electronic Cigarette Liquids

In one embodiment, a method of reducing nicotine addiction comprises reducing the amount of nicotine present in the e-liquid while increasing the levels of the non-nicotine stimulant. This is preferably achieved through a series of steps, although not required. In one embodiment, a method of reducing nicotine addiction comprises three steps:

-   -   I. Providing a user with an e-liquid containing nicotine;     -   II. Providing a series of subsequent e-liquids, each with lower         levels of nicotine and proportionally higher levels of a         non-nicotine stimulant; and     -   III. Removing the nicotine from the e-liquid completely.

In some embodiments, nutritional components such as astaxanthin may also increase with the reduction of nicotine. The addition of nutritional components, such as astaxanthin, make the e-liquid more effective at reducing nicotine addiction. An example of the stages of steps 2 and 3, including the use of astaxanthin, is shown generally at FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that although the example shows the use of three stimulants to replace nicotine, only one is required. However, the use of three stimulants with a nutritional supplement is the preferred method of reducing nicotine addiction.

In another embodiment, a method of increasing one's health and alertness comprises using an e-liquid that contains a vaporizable base, flavoring, a non-nicotine stimulant, and a health supplement. The non-nicotine stimulant may be one or more of those previously mentioned herein (e.g., caffeine, guarana, kola nut, etc.) and the health supplement may be astaxanthin. The levels of each may vary according to the table in FIG. 1, despite the lack of nicotine. This allows users, who may not have a nicotine addiction, to use the device for other purposes and benefits.

Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. Any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Unless the exact language “means for” (performing a particular function or step) is recited, a construction under §112(f) (formerly known as §112, 6th paragraph) is not intended. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vaporizable liquid, comprising: a vaporizable base; a flavoring; a non-nicotine stimulant; and a nutritional component.
 2. A method of using a vaporizable liquid to reduce nicotine addiction, comprising: using a vaporizable liquid containing a pre-determined amount of nicotine; reducing the level of nicotine over time while proportionally increasing levels of a non-nicotine stimulant; and ultimately removing the nicotine completely from the vaporizable liquid. 